Well, I've heard they can configure a current F1 car to go 240mph - but would they be able to corner if their aero was set up to do that in a straight line? What were they managing at Montreal and Spa? I presume it would be a bit more than either of those circuits. Do they still have that thing about changing their gear ratios for the second half of the season? Would they now have ratios that would give them a greater top speed?

Do they still have that thing about changing their gear ratios for the second half of the season? Would they now have ratios that would give them a greater top speed?

Nope, they can't change them anymore. One fixed set of ratios for the entire season. So that would be a disadvantage with regards to 2014 - IF all teams used the ratio change in 2014. I never knew what came from that and if there were teams who actually changed ratios.

I've gone conservative here and put in 364. I have no doubt that Mercedes, given a proper setup, would do better, but they seem to be taking the old Red Bull philosophy of running a bit more wing than others and a bit shorter gears. Also, they are in front most of the time so they're not too likely to having the advantage of full DRS and getting to follow another car around the Parabolica and onto the straight, which is what allowed Ricciardo last year to post 360.

I don't really have a clue but I figure if the weather holds they'll have the chance to go a little faster than last year. Beyond that I picked 373 because it is prime and a palindrome and I'm a geek and this amused me to think about.